Proper Century Chat

The proposition is as basic as the Metric Century Challenge, just a little harder. You must ride one proper century of 100 of the queen's finest miles a month during 2012. Only single continuous rides of at least 100 miles qualify, not a daily or weekly total of several shorter rides that exceed 100 miles. Tea stops are allowed, nay mandatory.

There will be no prizes as offered in the Metric Century Challenge, just the quiet pride and achievement of having completed 100 cold miserable miles in the rain in February, a lovely proper sweaty century in the height of Summer and then 100 cold miserable miles in the rain in November.

It's all about the challenge, the only reward is having done it, and the fear of the chorus of not angry, just disappointed tutting from those you told you were doing this.

hmm, even though I'm barely capable of riding half that far, am strangely tempted to give it a shot. (wondering who I could find to join me and jolly me along - or pull me on a bungee - when collapse and weep at the roadside...)

for those that havent done a century before it really does sound a great deal worse than it is.

I only started cycling about 3 months ago now after a 17 year lay-off.

with some solid consistant riding I did my first century after about 8 weeks ( it helped that I took a wrong turn and did 20 miles more than I planned that night!) my arm was aching a little from a 10 mile incline and I was tired but it really wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.

I went out last week up to the peak district and did 120 miles with about 3 miles of climbing involved and a lot of rain and its just such an enjoyable way to spend 8 hours! ( i dont stop for coffee or cake!)

If you havent done your first century yet then load your pockets up as soon as the weather abates and just climb aboard your steed, and just enjoy a full days adventure

Did mine today. Had a cold, got a couple of short rides in before a mtb weekend then picked up an injury 30 seconds into a run. Another week off1 So did 103 miles today. Was slow for most of it and only picked up on last 40km.

And, if you care to derive some pleasure at my expense, it was fairly miserable. Hadn't had enough sleep in the preceding week; and the cold, damp air took its toll as well. Suffice it to say that it was rather a taller order than happily doing similar distances last summer.

It was also a trial run for a lengthy ride in the dark, and a solo ride spending hours on end staring at a patch of rolling tarmac does, it transpires, send you slightly mad.

Anyway, in the final count it was 127 miles and 2500m of climbing - it just would have been more enjoyable had I not been so cold and tired. But hey. That's January

107 miles and since my rules say I can't ride my summer bike in winter this was on my commuter with dynamo and saddle bag. I can feel the rules slipping in February if there is a dry day for the next one. At least I saw no time limit for it so my 7 hours 35 minutes can be ignored.

Not a bad route, only took one wrong turn, well missed a turn as we wer having too much fun going down hill to Goring. Again not fast but there are no prizes for speed and I kept to my no summer bike rule. This time riding my ancient Pearson Tourer. 12 speed when 12 speed meant 6 on the back and 2 on the front. I'm sure I used to be able to handle the friction shifters better but it was still good. Thankful of the mudguards at the end when the heavens opened.